Bogturtle's Garden- Nov. 15 to end

                                   The Deer found nothing of interest in the leftovers and table scraps I throw out to the wildlife but I seldom get such an excellent close up, although they are around all the time. 

Quite brilliant. The Nandina domestica 'Harbor dwarf' really is a dwarf form of the plant. It has never flowered or fruited here. The common name is 'Heavenly Bamboo'.

Several tries at getting this form of Nandina established. Cannot say why. Finally it looks like it will grow. At the base of the Red Cedar tree where we park the vehicles. And, perhaps, more dark will disappear as the last of the chlorophyll leaves. 

The amazing form I think is called 'Firepower'. 

This bright yellow plant is a deciduous Rhododendron named R. mucronulatum 'Alba'. Could have planted the much commoner purple-pink or orchid colored form. Dislike the color. So I planted this, which will bloom with white flowers just at the finish or Winter or earliest Spring. In my zone, as the nearby ocean keeps us cool, the flowers are often blasted by the cold. But some years I get the results I want.  Another form, which I had, but lost, is the bubble-gum pink R.m. 'Rochester'.

Love the color of Bittersweet berries and did have it climbing a Holly before we added the room where I type this, but the vine is, as many are, a menace and pest. This one was growing into the Witch-Hazel trees, and, purely because I have come to hate it, I cut the vine to the ground. All over the property, as the birds plant it. So I would grow it, If I could figure how to get it to not take over the World. 

Maybe showed this photo already. Enkianthus perulatus lights up the area between the bird feeder and the little pool.

Just a good photo of Hamamelis virginiana 'Autumn Moon'. 

Rain brings out the brilliant red on the twigs of the dwarf Japanese Maple 'Fjelheim'.

Years ago I planted seeds of Woodland Strawberries. It seems I have ones that will give the tiny red or white berries. Small but very flavorful. Finally, after getting little fruit, I covered them and hope the voles, mice, chipmunks, or whoever, cannot get them. Was able, 11/20, to pick 6 tiny ones and hardly worth the effort. I hope I get a good many in Spring, but they will bear Spring, Summer and Fall. 

A great and favorite little shrub from Southern wetlands, shown every Spring and Fall. Zenobia pulverulenta 'Blue form'. Fine, silvery blue green foliage. The shrub has survived on the North side of an increasing American Holly, but I am sure more sun and more soil moisture would be appreciated. And with more sun the plant would not only have increased better but would show more flaming color in Fall. Covered with tiny white flowers of the typical urn shape of a member of the Heaths. 

These are called Thanksgiving Cactus and are in bloom now. The easiest of houseplants. Actually epiphytes, hanging on trees or rocks in the tropics. Mine are old-fashioned and many new sorts are now available. Included in the photo is a small African Violet plant and a small Clivia miniata. Successful in bringing that magnificent flowering plant into bloom only once, needing specific light and temperature perameters to bring that about. Easy to keep alive but, for me, a challenge to bring into flower. 

One sort of Tradescantia called, when such was acceptable, 'Wandering Jew'. Planning to order several more types, as all they seem to need is watering after the soil has become dry and very bright light. 

Another of the 'Thanksgiving Cactus'. Others, even later to bloom, are referred to as 'Christmas Cactus'. And a good many newer sorts of those are available also. The two sorts differ slightly in leaf shape.

I assume this is Mahonia bealii. Some of the blooms are opening and I think they are pleasantly fragrant, but it doesn't carry. A severe frost, which is not unheard of here, may well blast them before full bloom is achieved. I have seen tiny flying insects on warmer Winter days, so these must be pollinated by them. 

Always impressed by the Fall color of the Oakleaf Hydrangea 'Snow Queen'. Not so much with the yellow or greenish leaves on the 

Wintersweet.  But that shrub, Chimonanthus praecox is loaded  with buds that may be open by Christmas and very fragrant,

I recall the seller, a true salesman, going on about how the Fall foliage goes into Winter like smoldering embers. But it really does stand out surrounded by all the evergreens in its corner.